After years of discussion over whether Apple was not innovating with Siri, Apple now promised the launch of a smart version of its digital assistant. Siri is receiving a fresh set of new features and updates with iOS 18.1 as part of the addition of the generative AI offering under Apple Intelligence.

For perspective, some of Siri's future major updates, like integration with OpenAI's ChatGPT and onscreen awareness, are not yet available through the iOS 18.1.

Here is a preview of what the introduction of Apple Intelligence allows you to do with the refreshed digital assistant.

Enhanced language understanding
Apple is trying its best that people are able to let themselves speak to Siri quite freely. She is finally getting to understand and interpret natural language better, so even when you are bumbling in your words to Siri, she should be able to understand what you are telling her. You can say, for instance, "Siri, set an alarm for, oh wait no, set a timer for 10 minutes. Actually, make that five." Siri will know.

Plus, you can ask Siri follow-up questions without having to repeat context. For example, if you ask Siri where your next family reunion is going to take place, it will respond with a location. You can then follow up by asking, "What will the weather be like there?" without having to mention the name of the location.

Type to Siri
You could only talk to Siri with your voice up until now. With Apple Intelligence, you can now type to Siri when you do not want to speak out loud. You just need to double tap the button on your iPhone or iPad screen to ask Siri any question.

It is convenient to type to Siri when you are in a quiet environment and cannot speak out loud. Or, maybe you are in a loud environment; typing to Siri can ensure that your inquiry is heard clearly.

Siri now has product knowledge
Siri now knows more about Apple's products and services, so if you are wondering something about your Apple device, Siri can certainly help you. That's how to use a new feature on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac for the first time.

For instance, you can ask Siri how to schedule a text message so that it goes out later. Siri will then walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to do that. Otherwise you'd have to go into your settings and navigate to a help page if you needed more information about your device.

Coming soon
But while those features arrive Monday, the company promised rollout of other Apple Intelligence-powered features for Siri.

Therefore, depending upon the information sought or answered, Siri can automatically ask it from OpenAI's chatbot, known as ChatGPT, when answers are available only over some questions. Thus, with some ingredients taken fresh from your garden to use while making a meal, if you want to explore options for making something particular dish, you'll get your answer through Siri once she feeds the data gathered onto ChatGPT in exchange for options available regarding which recipe to opt for for that particular dish, accordingly.

No need to sign up for ChatGPT, but you have to give Siri permission to enable access to the service.

Now, Siri will know who you are and even tap into your personal context as well, which enables taking unique actions. That simply means that Siri is allowed to make use of any given information available on the device in search of whatever it finds best.

For instance, if you cannot remember if your friend Alice sent the recipe by text or e-mail, you can ask Siri to "pull up the recipe that Alice sent a few days ago." For instance, if you are in a hurry and have just realized you want to know your passport number for filling in an online form for a flight booking, you can ask Siri to pull it from an email or from your images to fill it in automatically.

Apart from that, soon Siri will be able to see what is on your screen and react according to what you are currently seeing on your device. If your friend has sent a new address via SMS, for example, you will be able to command Siri to add the new address to your friend's contact card.

Siri will also be able to act in and between apps. You will be able to ask Siri to enhance a photo for you in the Photos app, then ask the digital assistant to send it to a particular person in Messages. It will not have to open the different apps or do the actions, as Siri will be able to do it both in its own self.